Kilauea Lava Lake Had a Busy Weekend. Hit Record Levels

The Kilauea summit lava lake formed in 2008. Over the weekend, the level of lava rose more than 20 feet. But, it came just short of overflowing onto the floor of the Halema‘uma‘u Crater. The latest lava measurements have the lava at 7 feet below the crater rim.

“There was a lot of spattering that visitors are able to see from the Jagger Museum observation deck and also a lot of rumbling sounds as the crater walls heat up and the rocks fall into that roiling lava lake below. After the sun sets and the darkness starts to come in, that dramatic glow from the lava lake casting it’s reflection on the clouds and on the plume of gas and ash coming out of there — it is just super dramatic and beautiful. Everybody is just super happy to see this. The action isn’t always like this, so the people who are lucky enough to be here right now are really in for a treat this evening.”

Park officials could not have asked for better timing. The spike in activity came during National Park Week, which lasted April 18th – 26th. There was already going to be a spike in visitors to the parks. The lava lake increase made sure visitors were in for a treat.